Winching system for waterborne vessels

ABSTRACT

A winching arrangement for lifting barges and the like from a water area in which a waterborne vessel is located. The present winching arrangement comprises at least two pairs of winches, each pair of which winches utilizes a common line to operate a block and tackle arrangement, with one of the winching mechanisms of each pair of winches being driven by a relatively high-speed motor and the other winch of the winching mechanism being driven at a relatively slow speed by a high-torque motor of greater horsepower. With the winches being connected to opposite ends of the common line of the block and tackle arrangement, with at least one pair of winches lifting one end of a barge or the like and another pair of winches lifting the other end of the barge or the like. The winches and the controls therefor, are so constructed that, as the waves or swells rise and cause the barge to rise faster than the ship or vessel on which the winching arrangement is located, the high-speed winches will take up the slack in the line as the barges are being lifted by the waves or swells and the slow-speed, high-torque motors will lift the barge onto the vessel as the waves or swells recede. The high-speed winching mechanism is held against retrogression by a one-way, releasable brake or the like, and the high-torque, slow-speed motor will continue to wind the winch line onto a winch drum until the barge or the like is at sufficient elevation that it may be moved into place or placed in storage, whereupon, the barge or the like is lowered into position on the vessel and this is repeated until the waterborne vessel is loaded. Reverse provisions are made for lowering the barges from the winch mechanisms into the water. Controls are provided for sensing the tension of the cable which controls the particular winch being operated.

United States Patent Wilson, deceased et a1.

[ 1 Jan. 25, 1972 [54] WINCHING SYSTEM FOR WATERBORNE VESSELS [72] Inventors: John Hart Wilson, deceased, Late of Wichita Falls, Tex.; Evelyn Wilson Egan; J. N. Sherril, Jr., both of Wichita Falls; Virginia Wilson Hulver, Houston.

Primary ExaminerTrygve M. Blix Attorney-Watson, Cole, Grindle & Watson and Wayland D. Keith [5 7] ABSTRACT A winching arrangement forlifting barges and the like from a water area in which a waterborne vessel is located. The present winching arrangement comprises at least two pairs of winches, each pair of which winches utilizes a common line to operate a block and tackle arrangement, with one of the winching mechanisms of each pair of winches being driven by a relatively high-speed motor and the other winch of the winching mechanism being driven at a relatively slow speed by a high-torque motor of greater horsepower. With the winches being connected to opposite ends of the common line of the block and tackle arrangement, with at least one pair of winches lifting one end ofa barge or the like and another pair of winches lifting the other end of the barge or the like. The winches and the controls therefor, are so constructed that, as the waves or swells rise and cause the barge to rise faster than the ship or vessel on which the winching arrangement is located, the high-speed winches will take up the slack in the line as the barges are being lifted by the waves or swells and the slow-speed, high-torque motors will lift the barge onto the vessel as the waves or swells recede. The high-speed winching mechanism is held against retrogression by a one-way, releasable brake or the like, and the high-torque, slow-speed motor will continue to wind the winch line onto a winch drum until the barge or the like is at sufficient elevation that it may be moved into place or placed in storage, whereupon, the barge or the like is lowered into position on the vessel and this is repeated until the waterborne vessel is loaded. Reverse provisions are made for lowering the barges from the winch mechanisms into the water. Controls are provided for sensing the tension of the cable which controls the particular winch being operated.

10 Claims, 28 Drawing Figures PATENTEU mas 1972 SHEET OZUF 12 INVENTOR. JOHN HART WILSON BY INDEPENDENT EXECUTORS AGENT PATENTEU JANZS I972 SHEET 0'4 0F 12 JOHN HART WILSON 1N VENTOR.

BY INDEPENDENT EXECUTORS AGENT SHEET ESUF 12 INVENTOR. JOHN HART WILSON BY INDEPENDENT EXECUTORS AGENT PATENTEU JAN 2 519. 2

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- JOHN HART WILSON BY INDEPENDENT EXECUTORS 35 AGENT PATENYEDJANZSIQYZ 3,836,905 saw 110? 12 JOHN HART WILSON INVENTOR. BY INDEPENDENT EXECUTORS WWW AGENT PATENIEUJMSW 3,636,905 SHEET 12 0F 12 N O IO JOHN HART WILSON INVENTOR. BY INDENDENT EX ECUTORS AGENT This application is a continuation-in-part of my application, Ser. No. 677,520 for Apparatus for Stabilizing a Barge Within a Transfer Well of a Catamaran-Type Type Vessel for Loading the Barge onto or Removing it from the Vessel" filed Oct. 24, 1967, now Pat. No. 3,552,344, issued Jan. 5, 1971.

This invention relates to an improvement in loading barges on catamaran vessels, and vessels of the character as shown and described in US Pat. No. 3,273,527 to Jerome L. Goldman, patented Sept. 20, 1966.

In the loading of barges onto vessels of these types, difficulty is encountered as the vessel rises and falls with the waves; the barges being loaded onto the vessel rise and fall in irregular movement with respect to the vessel, therefore, instability between the barge and the vessel is present, which does not make for a relatively static condition for a sufficient length of time to enable the barge to be lifted from the water and onto the vessel of a catamaran type, such as shown in the abovementioned patent.

The present device provides for loading a catamaran-type vessel with barges by bringing the barges into a water area at the rear of the vessel between the sides thereof, whereby the water area is then enclosed on four sides the water within the enclosed area then becomes static, with respect to the vessel, thereby enabling a barge to be lifted from the relatively static water area by means of a crane and to be deposited in the hold of the vessel, or other place on the vessel, so a loaded barge or barges can be transported to the place of disposition or delivery.

The present vessel is so constructed as to have spaced-apart aft portions extending rearwardly, with the rearwardly extending portions being above and below the water line so as to define a water area sufficiently large to accommodate and enable the barge to be moved into position within this area, then fenders or gates are lowered on each side of the barge to make the water area in the aft portion of the vessel quiescent so that the barge will have substantially the same upward and downward movement as the vessel. Hoist lines are then connected to at least two points near each end of the barge, thereby to enable the barge to be lifted from the water and deposited in the hold of the vessel, or to enable the barge or the like to be removed from the hold of the vessel and deposited into the quiescent water, with the barge having substantially the same rise and fall of the vessel, the barge being substantially free of the influence of outside waves.

Various attempts to solve this problem have been made heretofore; however these, for the most part, have met with certain obstacles which the present invention has overcome.

An object of this invention is to provide a loading system for vessels whereby a barge, raft or other floating object can be moved into a water area within the confines of the vessel and whereupon the water within the area is stilled to enable the lifting of the barge, raft or other floating object onto the vessel without the tossing of the barge or other object being loaded, with respect to the vessel, as usually accompanies the loading of barges, rafts or other floating objects, from the ocean or other large body ofwater, onto a vessel.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement whereby an area within the length of the vessel may be so blocked off by fenders or gates as to render the water within the area quiescent and relatively free from the influence of waves.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shiploading arrangement for catamaran-type vessels whereby barges, rafts or other floating objects may be brought into an area of water within the length of the vessel, which area may be protected by fenders, gates or the like. With a barge within the protected area, a gantry crane may be moved thereabove for lifting the barge, raft or other floating object from the water upward and transporting the barge, raft or other object above the upper surface of the vessel to enable the deposition thereof into the hold of the vessel or onto the vessel.

Still another .object of the invention is to provide an arrangement to stabilize a barge, raft or other floating object transversely with respect to the hold of the vessel to enable lifting devices to be attached to the barge, raft or other floating object.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a lifting arrangement which is associated with the vessel and with the barge, raft or floating object, to enable the lifting device on thevessel to be quickly and positively engaged with a com plementary lifting device on the barge, raft or other floating object and to enable the complementally engageable lifting devices to be held in engaged position until the barge, raft or other object is deposited in the hold of the vessel, or onto the deck thereof, and to enable the engagement of the interengaging devices in the hold of the ship or on the deck thereof transporting the barge therefrom into the protected area of water within the confines of the vessel, when it is desired to transfer the barges from the vessel onto the waterway, such as an ocean or lake.

Another object of the invention is to provide at least one movable gate, which is operated within guideways near an end of the vessel, so that the gate may be moved downward to enclose an area of water within the length of the vessel, when a barge, raft or other floating object has been moved into the water area within the length of the vessel and to move the fender or gate upward when it is desired to move another barge, raft or other floating object into the area within the length of the vessel or to remove the barge, raft, or other floating object from the vessel and deposit it into the quiescent water area, between the rearwardly extending hull portions of the vessel, whereupon the gate or fender may be opened to allow the barge or the like to be moved from the quiescent water area.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hoisting system which will enable the lowering of a gate or fender to a position below the water line of the vessel, when in one position and to raise the fender or gate to a sufficient height to enable a barge, raft or other floating object to pass thereunder.

A further object of this invention is to provide a loading system for vessels whereby a barge, raft or other floating object, which is being tossed by swells and waves, may be removed from a water area by making use of the swells and waves to assist in raising the barge, raft or floating object from the water onto the vessel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a winching system, one winch of which has sufficient speed to rapidly take up any slackness in the winching line, while the wave is causing the bare or the like to rise, and which mechanism will hold the winch line to prevent retrogression as the wave recedes. A second winch is connected to the other end of the winch line, which winch is driven by a high-torque, low-speed motor of sufficient horsepower to lift the barge without the aid of the first winch.

A further object of the invention is to provide controls for sensing the load on the hoist blocks to enable the correct pull to be exerted on the proper winch, at the right time for the most effective raising of the barge, raft or other floating object.

Another object of the invention is to provide a winching mechanism comprising two pairs of winches, one pair of which winches is low-speed, high-torque and the other pair of which winches is high-speed, low-torque, which can be used conjointly for lifting a barge during the rise and fall of the barge in the water to enable the barge or the like to be lifted more rapidly.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a winching mechanism comprising at least four pairs of winches, one winch of each pair of winches being driven by a hightorque motor and the other winch of each pair of winches being driven by a high-speed motor, with the winch capable of being held against retrogression by a weight sensing mechanism.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a winching system for gantry cranes, which system is simple in construction, easy to operate, and efiicient in operation.

With these objects in mind and others which will become manifest as the description proceeds, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like parts in the several views thereof, in which;

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a catamaran-type vessel shown as being in separate portions, the connection being shown by a dot-dash line, with a portion intermediate the forward and aft portions of the vessel being broken away and shortened; a gantry crane being shown, with portions cut away and shortened, in full outline in one position and in dashed outline in another position, with barges being shown in dotted outline, the mechanism for raising and lowering the fender or gate being shown in dotted outline, one of the gates being shown in raised position in full outline, the lowered position thereof being shown in dashed outline;

FIG. is a top plan view, on substantially the same scale as that shown in FIG. I, of two portions of the vessel connected by a dot-dash line, showing intermediate portions broken away and shortened, and showing a gantry crane in full outline in one position;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 5, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, with portions being broken away and shortened;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, of the mounting members and a cable support block for supporting a lifting device and showing a fluid loaded cylinder with a sensor conduit leading therefrom;

FIG. 5 is a rear end elevational view of a catamaran-type vessel showing a gantry crane mounted thereon, with portions of the gantry crane being broken away and shortened, and portions being shown in section to bring out the details of construction, one of the fenders or gates being shown broken away to show a barge, in full outline, within the confines of a vessel, lateral stabilizers intermediate the vessel and the barge being shown; and showing a hoisting block and connection devices to connect the gantry crane and the barge in position for lifting the barge; a lift or hoist arrangement for the fenders or gates is shown in dotted outline;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged top fragmentary view of an end portion of one side of the catamaran-type vessel, showing the ends of the fenders or gates in place in guided relation with respect to the vessel, with portions of the vessel being broken away to show the hoisting mechanism for the fenders or gates, a fluid actuated cylinder is shown secured to the vessel to stabilize a barge, raft or other floating object, transversely with respect to the vessel, and showing the lifting arrangement on the barge, raft or other floating object;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, showing the engagement device on the barge, raft or other floating object, and showing fluid actuated cylinders to actuate the slips to disengage the slips, which are associated with the barge, raft or other floating object, from the lifting shafts or spears which are associated with the gantry crane;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid system to actuate the lateral stabilizers to stabilize the barge, raft or othe floating object against lateral movement with respect to the vessel, and to actuate the winches for raising or lowering the fenders or gates;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid system for actuating the slips of the lifting device, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a modified form of the lifting device, and a portion of a barge having a complementary engaging spear portion thereon;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of FIG. 11, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, but on a reduced scale;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view, similar to FIG. 5, of a portion of a barge carrying vessel, a fragmentary portion of a barge, and a fragmentary portion of a hoisting system, showing the modified form of lifting device associated therewith;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a modified form of lifting arrangement;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but taken at a right angle to the modified form, as shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the stern portion of a catamaran vessel, a barge between the rearwardly extending portions of the vessel being shown in dotted outline, and showing a gantry crane having one form of the present winching mechanism thereon in full outline, in one position, and in dashed outline in another position;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the stern portion of a catamaran-type vessel showing a gantry crane thereon in full outline, with two pairs of winching mechanisms thereon and showing a barge in dashed outline between the rearwardly extending portions of the catamaran vessel;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken on line 18-18 of FIG. 19 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, with parts being broken away and shortened;

FIG. 19 is a rear end elevational view of a catamaran-type vessel showing a gantry crane mounted thereon, with portions of the gantry crane being broken away and shortened, and portions being shown in section to bring out the details of construction, and showing lateral stabilizers intermediate the vessel and the barge to stabilize the barge horizontally with respect to the vessel, showing a winching mechanism which utilizes multiple pairs of winches, each pair of winches being connected to a single line and showing a barge in position to be lifted by the winches;

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 18, but of a modified form of winching mechanism, which uses two pairs of winches;

FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 19, but of the modified form of the invention;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged side elevational view of one of the winching mechanisms removed from the gantry crane, showing the diagrammatic view of the air system and the clutch controls therefor;

FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the same winching mechanism, showing the air system and a diagrammatic view of the brake controls;

FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of the companion winching mechanism, showing the air system and a diagrammatic view of the clutch controls;

FIG. 25 is an opposite side elevational view of the winching mechanism as shown in FIG. 24, showing the air system and a diagrammatic view of the brake controls;

FIG. 26 is a sectional view of one of the winching mechanisms taken on line 26-26 of FIG. 23, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, but on a greatly enlarged scale;

FIG. 27 is a sectional view of the other winch of a pair of winches taken on line 2727 of FIG. 25, but on a greatly en larged scale, to show the details of construction; and

FIG. 28 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the supporting beams and pressure sensing cylinder, showing the support block suspended therebelow.

With more specific reference to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates generally a vessel of the catamaran type or of the type shown in Goldman U.S. Pat. No. 3,273,527, which vessel 1 has transversely spaced-apart aft portions, which spacedapart aft portions extend along the length of the vessel a sufficient distance from the rear end to form an area 2, to accommodate within the area, a barge, raft or other floating object 4, so as to be protected against the influence of waves, upon lowering a fender or gate 6 within guides 8 and 10 by winch hoist mechanisms 12, to form a protected water area.

The hoist mechanisms 12 each has a cable 13 extending therefrom, each which cable is connected at 14 to the fender or gate 6 near the lower side thereof, so upon the hoisting mechanisms 12 being operated, one of which hoisting hydraulic cylinder 44, either to move the plungers 46 outward or to retract same, as desired, as is well known in the art of hydraulics.

The mechanisms for raising the fender or gate 6 are conventional hoisting mechanism which mechanisms are preferably hydraulically actuated winch and cable mechanisms operated by a hydraulic system such as indicated in FIGS. 6 and 9, with the hydraulic line 70 branching off to hydraulic line 62. The hydraulic line 70 has a fourway valve 72 therein, with hydraulic lines 74 and 75 leading therefrom, which lines connect in parallel to the respective hydraulic motors 78, which motors, in turn, are connected to the respective drums of the winch hoisting mechanisms 12. A hydraulic discharge line 76 leads from the discharge port of the four-way valve 72, which discharges hydraulicfluid from the opposite side of the respective hydraulic motors 78 into the other of the hydraulic lines connected thereto. By positioning the hydraulic valve 72 in one position, the hydraulic motors will be rotated in one direction to wind the cable 13 onto the respective drums of the hoisting mechanisms 12 to simultaneously raise each end of the fender or gate 6 from the full outline position, as shown in FIG. 5, to the dashed outline position shown therein.

As the hydraulic fluid is directed from four-way, hydraulic valve 72 into hydraulic lines 74, which lead to the respective hydraulic motors 78, hydraulic fluid is discharged from the motors 78 into hydraulic lines 75 and through four-way, hydraulic valve 72 into discharge lines 76 which interconnect with discharge line 68 which leads to the reservoir or sump 56. While the hydraulic system has been described somewhat in detail, other hydraulic systems may be used, such as variable displacement pump systems to vary the speed of the hoist drums or to reverse the drums as desired.

Rollers 82 are mounted on the inside wall of each aft portion 16 of the vessel 1, intermediate the inside wall and the respective hoisting mechanisms 12, so upon the cable 13 being wound onto or unwound off of the drums of the hoisting mechanisms 12, the gate or fender 6 will be raised or lowered, and the rollers 82 will protect the cable 13 from injury.

In raising or lowering the fender or gate 18, the hydraulic system, as shown in FIG. 9, is utilized, wherein the pump 58 withdraws hydraulic fluid from reservoir 56 and directs hydraulic fluid through line 70 into line 86 to four-way valve 88, wherein hydraulic lines 90 lead in parallel to a side of each of the hydraulic motors 80, and upon the hydraulic fluid being discharged from the hydraulic motors 80, it will be discharged into hydraulic line 92, thence through four-way, hydraulic control valve 88 into hydraulic line 94 which connects with hydraulic discharge line 68 which leads to the sump or reservoir 56. Hydraulic fluid thus directed through the motors 80 will rotate the drums of hoisting mechanisms 24 in one direction. Upon movement of the hydraulic control valve 88 to another position, the hydraulic fluid will be directed through parallel lines 92 to the opposite side of the respective hydraulic motors 80, and the fluid being discharged from hydraulic motors will be directed into hydraulic lines 90, and through four-way, hydraulic valve 88 to be discharged into the sump or reservoir 56, in the manner set out above.

A roller 84 is mounted between each inside wall of each aft portion 16 of the vessel 1, at each end of the fender or gate 18 and each drum of the hoisting mechanisms 24, so the respective cables 26 winding onto or off of the drums of the hoisting mechanisms 24 will pass over the respective rollers 84, to prevent injury to the cables.

The slip elements 41 are normally urged upward by resilient means 41A, such as springs, and are moved downward by a combination of forces, by the spears or bars 28 moving downward, and by fluid pressure being exerted on the upper end of each fluid cylinder 418 to move the plungers 41.] thereof. An air supply line 411 directs air through four-way, control valve 41G, when in one position, into air lines 41F, which will urge the plungers 41], of the respective cylinders 41B, downward, which will cause the teeth of the slip elements 41 to move away from the spears or bars 28, due to the downward and outward inclination of the taper of the slip bowl 41E. With the slip elements out of engagement with the spears or bars 28, and with fluid pressure on lines 41F, theslip elements are held in retracted position until the spears or bars 28 are removed therefrom.

When it is desired to engage the spears or bars 28, the slip elements 41 may be retracted by directing fluid into the lines 41F, thereby the spears or bars may be freely moved into the slips, then by moving four-way valve 41G to another position, the fluid will be exhausted from lines 41F through four-way valve 41G to atmosphere, and fluid will be impressed on lines 41K, which will move plungers 41J upward simultaneously, to cause the teeth of the slip elements 41 to engage the spears or bars 28. After once engaged, the fluid pressure may be released, since the weight of the load will hold the slips in place. However, it is desirable to provide springs 41A to hold the slip elements 41 in close relation around the respective spears or bars, in event the tension on the spears or bars should be momentarily slackened. It is preferable to use air as the fluid to actuate the cylinders 41B.

The guides 8, 10 and 20 are detachably connected to the aft portions 16 of the vessel 1 to enable the removal thereof, and for the removal and repair of fenders or gates 6 and 18. The plungers 46 of hydraulic cylinders 44 are retractable so that the bumpers or elastomer heads 48 are normally within the confines of guides 8, 10 and 20, when the barge or raft 42 is being moved into place, either by lowering by the gantry crane 42 and hoisting mechanisms 29, or when the barge 4 is being moved thereinto preparatory to the loading into the hold of the vessel.

The gantry crane 42 is moved along rails or trackway 43 throughout the loading or unloading area of the vessel and has self-contained hoisting mechanisms 29,36 and 38 thereon.

The present gantry crane and design of the vessel are known in the art, and are disclosed in the above-mentioned patent to Goldman. The present invention resides in creating an area of quiescent water, within the length of the vessel, moving the barges or the like into the quiescent water area, stabilizing the barge or the like in this quiescent water area, with respect to the vessel, moving the barge or the like, by means of a gantry crane, into the hold of the vessel or onto the deck thereof, and for removing barges or the like from the vessel and depositing them in the quiescent water area to be removed therefrom to a place of unloading or for storage.

MODIFIED FORM OF THE INVENTION A modified form of the barge lifting device, is shown is FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, in generally designated by the numeral 101, which barge lifting device is attached to a block 102 by means of a bail 104. The bail 104 pivotally supports a slip bowl 106, which slip bowl mounts a set of tapered, sliding, toothed slips 108 therein. The set of slips 108 moves downwardly and inwardly at an angle to grip an upstanding projection or bar 1 10, in a manner as will be more fully brought out hereinafter. The bar 110 is secured to the body of the barge, so upon one set of slips 108 engaging each of four such bars 110, the barge 112 may be lifted in a manner more fully brought out hereinafter,

Each slip bowl 106 is pivotally supported by a bail 104 above the center of gravity, as will best be seen in FIG. 11, so as to maintain each slip blow in a stable, upright position, when being raised or lowered without being attached to a bar 110. Each bowl 106 has an upstanding frame 114 thereon, which is secured thereto by cap screws 1 16, each which frame pivotally mounts a fluid cylinder 118 thereon to support a plate 120, to which each slip of the set of slips 108 is attached by links 122.

A fluid cylinder 118 is provided for each slip of the set of slips, within a slip bowl 106, which cylinders are fluid actuated by a fluid actuating system, such as shown in FIG. 10; however, in the present instance, no springs surround the plungers 124 of cylinders 118. Fluid supply lines 126 and 128 are promechanisms is positioned on each side of the vessel 1 so as to be at each end of fender or gate 6, and is adapted to raise and lower the rear gate or fender 6 between guides 8 and 10 on the respective inner faces of the aft portions 16 of the vessel.

When the fender or gate 6 is in the lowered position, as shown in FIG. 5, an area of water is confined intermediate the two aft portions 16 of the vessel, which area of water if protected from waves outside the vessel. The water within this area will rise substantially uniformly as a ship rises and will fall substantially uniformly as a ship lowers. In this manner, the water within this confined area is substantially static with respect to the vessel 1.

It is preferable to have a second fender or gate 18 which raises and lowers vertically between guides 20 and 22, which guides are located on the respective inner faces of the aft portions 16 of the vessel 1, as will best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 6. The rear fender or gate 6 is raised a spaced distance above the surface of the water, as the vessel 1 is moved therethrough; however, when loading or unloading barges, rafts or other floating objects, the gates 6 and 18 are each lowered by the respective winch hoisting mechanisms 12 and 24, which winch hoisting mechanisms are conventional and are arranged with one hoist device at each end of each gate or fender, as will best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, with the hoist lines 26 of hoisting mechanisms 24 being connected near the lower side of fender or gate 18. In this manner the fender or gate 6 may be raised to sufficient height, as indicated in dashed outline in FIG. 5, to permit a barge, raft or other floating object 4 to be moved therebelow and into the confined water area 2, then the gate 6 is lowered to the position shown in full outline in FIG. 5, to confine the barge, raft or other floating object between the aft portions 16 of the vessel and between the fenders or gates 6 and 18. The water within the area 2, so enclosed, becomes relatively quiescent, with the water and the vessel rising and falling with the waves in the same periodic or harmonic motion, thereby to enable lifting the barge, raft or the like by the spears or bars 28, which are supported by the gantry crane hoisting mechanisms, designated generally at 29, each which gantry crane hoisting mechanism has a hoist line 30 thereon, which passes around blocks 32 and 34 of the respective mechanisms and are wound onto the respective winch hoisting mechanisms, which are designated generally by the numerals 36 and 38.

The present device shows the spears or bars 28 as being engaged by slips, designated generally by the numeral 40, which slips are securely mounted within each barge, raft or other floating object, near each corner thereof. The hoisting mechanisms may comprise pairs of spears or bars, one pair at each end of the gantry crane, which gantry crane is designated generally by the numeral 42, or by four separate spears or bars to enable a separate hoisting mechanism, generally designated by the numeral 29, to lift each comer of the barge, raft or other floating object, after the water has been stilled by the lowering of fenders or gates 6 and 18. Any suitable connecting means may be used to connect the hoisting mechanisms to the barge.

Pairs of laterally positioned stabilizing cylinders 44 are provided, one pair being mounted on each aft portion 16 and each cylinder having the plunger thereof above the water line, each which plunger 46 extends inward through the inner wall of rearwardly extending aft portion 16, so a bumper or an elastomer head 48 on each plunger 46 may be urged against opposite sides of a barge, raft or other floating object, simultaneously, so as to stabilize the barge against lateral movement with respect to the vessel 1. After the barge is stabilized the gantry crane 42 may be moved into position above the barge to enable the hoisting mechanisms, generally designated by the numeral 29, to be connected to the barge 4. In the operation of removing the barge from the water and placing the barge onto the vessel or into the hold of the vessel, the spears or bars 28 will be in aligned relation with respect to the slips which are designated generally by the numeral whereupon the spears or bars 28 are lowered until the spears or bars move downward between the toothed slip elements 41 of the slips 40, which slip elements are normally urged upward by a resilient force, such as by a spring 41A, or by the resilient action of fluid actuated cylinders 418. The fluid actuated cylinders 41B are pivotally connected to a stabilizing ring 41C, which, in turn, is pivotally connected to linkages 41D, which linkages are pivotally connected to the respective slip elements 41. In this manner the slip elements 41 are normally in the upright position, upon movement of the spear or bar 28 downwardly into the toothed slip elements 41, the slips will move downwardly along the inclined face of the slip bowl 4115 until the reversal of the movement of spear or bar 28 is effected, whereupon the teeth will then engage the spear or bar 28 and will hold the bar until the barge is lifted from the water and placed into the hold, as in the case of loading the vessel, or upon unloading the vessel, the barge will be lifted out of the hold and placed in the quiescent water area.

The fluid cylinders 41B are pivotally mounted on a support frame 40A, which support frame depends from the lower side of the slip bowl 41E and is secured thereto by bolts 40B and, when four slip elements 41 are used, it is preferable to have four fluid actuated cylinders 418, one for each slip element. The support frame 40A has a hole 40C formed centrally therethrough, so that the spear or bar, which has a tapered lower end 28A, may readily pass downward therethrough to enable the correct positioning of the spear or bar 28 with respect to slip elements 41.

When it is desired to disengage the toothed slip elements 41 from the spears or bars 28, fluid pressure, such as air, is applied simultaneously to the fluid lines 41F by directing air through four-way valve 41G; whereupon the plunger of each of the fluid actuated cylinders 418 will move downward to move the slips along the face of the taper of the bowl 41E; however, to so loosen the spears or bars 28, a downward movement of each spear or bar 28 must be made simultaneously as the air is applied to conduits or fluid lines 41F, whereupon, the slip elements 41 will be retracted. After the slip elements 41 are retracted, the hoisting mechanisms 29 may raise the hoisting spears or bars 28 to enable the spears or bars 28 to engage other slips, either to move the barge, raft or other floating object into the hold of the vessel or to remove the barge, raft or other object from the hold of the vessel to enable the barge, raft or other object to be lowered into the protected, quiescent water area, preparatory to launching the barge, raft or other floating object into the sea.

As mentioned above, either two or four hoisting mechanisms 29 may be used; however, when only two hoisting mechanisms 29 are used, a swing cable 50 is attached to the lower block 34 and to a spreader bar or beam 52 so as to space the bars or spears 28 apart the distance between the slips 40, and in so doing the spears or bars may either be lowered directly into the spaced-apart slips or they may be manually guided thereinto. The spears 28 are pivotally mounted upon .spreader bar 52 to provide limited movement thereof.

The fluid actuated cylinders 44, preferably four in number, two on each side of each aft portion 16, which cylinders are spaced apart so as to engage a barge, raft or floating object near each corner thereof adjacent the sides of the aft portions 16 of the vessel 1. It is preferable to have these fluid actuated cylinders move inwardly simultaneously and outwardly simultaneously. The fluid to the cylinders 44 is controlled by a fourway valve 54, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 9.

The hydraulic system shown, comprises a reservoir 56, a pump 58 having a suction line 60 and a discharge line 62 to direct fluid through four-way valve 54 and into a hydraulic line 64 which is branched to lead to the plunger end of each of the cylinders 44. An outlet line 66 leads from each of the cylinders 44, at the end opposite the plunger 46, through which the hydraulic fluid is discharged and through the fourway valve 54, through return line 68 to the reservoir 56. By

. manipulation of the hydraulic valve 54, in a conventional manner, whether it be the rotary or longitudinally movable spool-type valve, fluid can be directed to either end of each vided for each of the cylinders 118, so that the respective plungers 124 thereof may be actuated in either direction by fluid power, which power is preferably air under pressure.

A spring 130 surrounds each upstanding bar 110 and is held against lateral movement by a boss 132. Each spring 130 is of a diameter that will react against the lower end of the slips 108 to maintain the slips a spaced distance above the upper face of the body of the barge 112. In this manner, the slips may be so positioned as to enable the release thereof by allowing the slip bowl 106 to move downward and moving the slips upward by directing fluid under pressure into conduits 126. After the slips 108 have been raised, they may be maintained in raised position to enable the removal of the barge lifting device, designated generally by the numeral 101, from the bars 110.

When it is desired to reengage the slips, the slips 108 may be lowered into the slip bowl 106 until they move downward along the inclined face thereof, whereupon, by lowering block 102, the tapered end 134 thereof will engage the teeth of the slips to move the slips upward until retrogression sets in, whereupon, the teeth of each set of slips 108 will engage the respective bars 110.

The blocks 102 are substantially identical in construction with blocks 34; however, the present barge lifting device may be used either with the form of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or with the device which utilizes four lifting blocks, such as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

A FURTHER MODIFIED FORM OF INVENTION A further modified form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, which form of the invention utilizes four pairs of hoisting winches and an individual spear or bar for each pair of hoisting winches to enable the barge, raft or other floating object to be lifted from the quiescent water area. The numbers of the parts on this form of the invention are the same as in the aforesaid form of the invention, in so far as applicable, except an A has been added to the numeral of each winching mechanism to distinguish from the aforementioned form of invention.

The form of the invention as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, has four winching mechanisms, designated generally at 36A, one near each corner of the gantry crane and four winching mechanisms 38A, one near each comer of the gantry crane. The winching mechanisms 36A and 38A work complementally in pairs, and have sensors associated therewith to enable one of the winching mechanism of each complementary pair to automatically take up or pay out line or cable rapidly in accordance with a predetermined tension setting thereof, and the other winching mechanism of the complementary pair of winching mechanisms is designed to exert a relatively great lift at a slower speed. These winches act collectively either to raise the barge from the water and to place it on the vessel or to remove the barge from the vessel and lower the barge into the water, in the same manner as the aforementioned form of the invention Two complementary winches are associated with each cable as shown in FIG. 15, and on each of the aforementioned forms of the invention and each pair of complementary winches has a stationary block 32 and a traveling block 34 associated therewith. Each of the stationary blocks is suspended from downwardly extending rods 32A, which rods are anchored to plate 325, which plate is mounted above the cylinder 32C. The cylinder 32C is mounted on transverse beam 32D, and upon downward pull being exerted on the stationary block 32, weight will be transferred to the plate 32B and to the piston 32E, which will cause pressure to be applied to the hydraulic fluid within cylinder 32C to be directed out and through fluid conduit 32F to a tension regulator or sensing unit, designated generally by the numeral 33. This unit may be of the character disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,289,967, to Art I. Robinson, dated Dec. 6, 1966, which tension regulator or sensing unit actuates a control unit 33A to control the flow of air from air supply line 33B to a clutch 33C, which controls slippage of the clutch 33C, within predetermined limits, between the motor and the hoisting mechanisms of the hoists 36A and 38A, which enables the cable to be taken up quickly or payed out quickly on one hoist, and the other hoist, which is geared for heavy lifting, will exert a lifting pull of the cable within predetermined limits.

FOURTH FORM OF THE INVENTION This form of the invention relates to improvements in hoisting mechanisms and more particularly to a winching mechanism which utilizes a pair of independently driven winching drums, which winch drums have a common cable or hoist line connected to each of the winch drums and with each winch line leading to a common block and tackle, so that either or both of the winching mechanisms can hoist the traveling block of a block and tackle means.

Various hoisting mechanisms which utilize double drums have been proposed heretofore, however, these were usually driven from the same source of power or each driven with the same size power unit, however, the present hoisting arrangement enables one prime mover to have a relatively fast speed and a second prime mover having a relatively slow speed, but capable of developing a very high torque and far greater horsepower.

The present hoisting arrangement is particularly desirable for lifting barges from the ocean and placing these in a vessel for transporting, in a manner as disclosed in the above copending application and in the patents to Goldman, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,273,527 and 3,361,271. The present winching arrangement, when used for loading barges, enables one winch of each pair ofwinches to take up the line quickly as the waves and swells of the ocean or the like lift the barges upward. The fluid clutches operated by the tension sensors act as a dynamic brake for holding the hoist line against retrogression once the water starts to lower with respect to the well or other place from which the barge is being loaded. The same tension sensing mechanism is so adjusted as to enable dynamic braking to be effected during the lowering operation of the barge into the water.

In the loading of barges onto vessels of the catamaran type, difficulty is often encountered as the vessel rises and falls with the motion of the waves, the barge being loaded onto the vessel rises and falls in irregular movement with respect to the vessel, therefore, instability between the barge and the vessel is present, which does not make for a relatively static condition fc r a sufficient length of time to enable the barge to be hoisted from the water and onto the vessel of a catamaran type, such as shown in the above-mentioned patent.

The present winching device provides for loading a catamaran-type vessel with barges by successively bringing the barges into a water area at the rear of the vessel between the sides thereof, and lowering barge engaging means into connecting relation with several points on the barge. The winching means for each barge comprises at least two pair of winches, each pair of which winches is connected to opposite ends of a winch line with a block and tackle arrangement therebetween, so when either or both of the winching mechanisms of each pair of winches is energized, each end or each corner of a barge will be lifted, depending on whether two pairs ofwinches are used or four pairs of winches.

The present winching arrangement enables a barge to be moved beneath a gantry-type crane and lifted from the water even though the waves cause the barge or the like to be raised and lowered relative to the vessel or ship on which the gantry crane is located.

Various attempts to solve the problem of loading barges onto ships at sea, or in water where the swells or waves cause the barges to rise and fall at a different rate of speed from the rise or fall of the vessel. The present invention overcomes many of the difficulties that have been experienced heretofore.

The present barge handling system is so constructed as to lift barges from or lower barges into water areas which have high waves or swells substantially the same as if the waves or swells were not present. The barge lifting system includes a gantry crane 210, and in the present instance, two pairs of winching mechanisms. One pair of which winching mechanisms 21]. and 211A is shown, near each end of the gantry crane, each which pair is positioned immediately above the barge to be handled. The gantry crane is used with a catamaran-type vessel or a vessel having spaced-apart rear portions to receive a free floating barge therebetween.

To be able to lift the barge from a water area in which waves or swells are present, load sensing systems are associated with each winch and each pair of winches has a hydraulic cylinder 222 mounted on the gantry crane to receive at least a proportionate amount of load of the barge being lifted by the pair of winches on each end of the gantry crane 210. A fluid pressure sensing line 224 leads from each cylinder to a manifold 242 to which manifold a plurality of fluid lines 234, 236, 238 and 240 are connected, one of which fluid lines 234 i s'rconnected to a pressure sensing device 226 in which a mechanism, such as shown in the Art I. Robinson US. Pat. No. 3,289,967, provided, which will automatically control regulated pressure valves therein to direct air from an air supply line 246 through a line 252 to a clutch 254, which clutch is capable of constant slipping without injurious effects, and which will lift a load in proportion to the increase of air thereon in accordance with a predetermined setting of the device.

A further pressure conduit 236 leads from the manifold 242 to a sensing device 228 which is similar in construction to sensing device 226. This sensing device is connected to a fluid actuated brake 274 so as to direct fluid, under pressure, from air supply line 248 into air line 278 to the brake. In addition to this control, there is a governor control, as shown in FIG. 26, which regulates the air to the brake, through a governor control valve 280, to enable the brake to be set at the proper time and to the proper degree, in accordance with the speed of the shaft or motor 256.

A further manually controlled valve 279 is provided within the air line 278 to enable the brake to be manually controlled. This is a three-way open, close and bleed throttling-type valve such that are in general use at present. Both the clutch 254 and the brake 274 are fluid cooled, as by water or the like, as will more fully be brought out hereinafter.

The air actuated clutches and brakes in the present invention, are preferably of the water cooled type, such as shown in the copending application of John Hart Wilson, for Clutch or Brake Fluid Cooling System, Ser. No. 814,739, which will cause the clutch to reel in cable if the pressure sensing device so indicates, or to pay out the cable at a predetermined tension if the water sensing device so indicates. In paying out the cable, the clutch 254 will slip and act as a dynamic brake within the capacity rating thereof, without overheating the clutch or brake elements being beyond a heat at which the clutch and brake elements would be damaged. A motor 256 drives through gearing 258 to drive clutch 254 which in turn drives through gearing 260 to drive the drum 262 of one of the winch units 21 1.

Air is directed to the clutch 254 through a conventional ro tary fluid seal 264 to enable the clutch 254 to be operated while rotating. Water is directed through conduit 266 through a rotary water seal 268 into and through clutch 254 to be discharged through pipe 270 to maintain the clutch cool.

The hub of the clutch 254 is mounted on a shaft 272, which shaft is always connected in geared relation with winch drum 262. A portion of the brake 274 is connected to a torque arm or rigid member 276 to prevent the rotation of the brake when the brake is engaged. A fluid pressure supply line 278 is connected to an expansible chamber in the brake and with the sensor control mechanism 228, wherein a valve therein normally controls the brake 274 in accordance with a predetermined setting, which line 278 passes through a governor con trolled valve 280 which is operably controlled by the speed of the motor 256 as is well understood in the art of governor controlled valves.

A throttling 'valve 282 is capable of being opened, closed and bled is provided within the fluid pressure line 278 so as to enable the brake to be manually controlled, if desired. A oneway driving coupling 284, such as disclosed in the patent to John Hart Wilson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,563,089, is mounted on shaft 272, intermediate the positive fluid actuated brake 274, so as to enable the brake 274 to be locked against rotation, but permits the shaft 272 to be turned to enable the raising of a barge 285, or the like, with the one-way brake holding in one direction, but permitting the free rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction. In this manner, a relatively small motor 256 may be used to take up the line slack as the waves or swells cause the barge 285 to raise, and the one-way driving coupling will hold the load against retrogression, with the clutch 254 slipping to maintain torque on drum 262, so as the waves lift the barge 285, the winch 262 can keep the slack out of the cable until the lift caused by the wave or swell has ceased. In this manner, it is possible to make use of a motor, possibly in the range of 20 to 50 horsepower, to perform a large portion of the work which has heretofore been performed by motors of several hundred horsepower, and which will perform the work more expeditiously for the periods during which the barge 285 is being lifted by water.

The weight sensing controller and air supply valves for the units 226 and 228 are of the character shown in the patent to Art I. Robinson, and other type controllers, such as marketed by Martin Decker Corporation, and others are adaptable to the present device.

It is preferable to have at least a first winch unit 211, FIGS. 22 and 23, having the winch drum 262 therein, as shown in FIG. 26, to run at relatively high speeds with relatively light loads, however, a second winch unit 211A, such as indicated in FIGS. 24 and 25, and as shown more in detail in FIG. 27, has a motor 288 of much greater horsepower than the first winch unit. Two such winches, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, are capable of lifting a loaded barge 285, after the waves or swells have permitted the smaller motor to take up the slack of the cable as result of the water lift, as hereinbefore mentioned. Furthermore, the winching unit, as shown in FIGS. 24, 25 and 27, is geared to develop a great torque, therefore, after the barge 285 has cleared the water, winch 21 1A is used to hoist the barge 285 to the desired height to enable the movement of the barge out the water from between the rearwardly extending portions of the catamaran vessel to a place of storage in the forward portion of the vessel. The winching unit 211A has a frame or a housing 286 in which the motor 288, of relatively large horsepower, is mounted, which motor drives through power gearing 290, 292 to a clutch 294, which clutch 294 is similar in construction to clutch 254, which clutch is fluid actuated and fluid cooled.

The clutch 294 is mounted on a shaft 296 and has gearing thereon which drives through gearing 298 to a winch drum 300. The shaft 296 has a fluid actuated disc brake 302 on the outer end thereof, which brake has a pressure line 304 leading therefrom to a fluid actuated sensor 232, which sensor connects to a sensing cylinder 222 through a manifold 242 and conduit 244. A manually operated off, on and bleed throttling valve 306 is provided in line 304 so that the brake 302 may be manually controlled, if desired.

A one-way brake 308, FIG. 27, similar to the one-way brake or coupling described above, is provided on shaft 296 intermediate the brake 302 and the shaft 296, which will permit the rotation of the shaft 296 in one direction, but will hold the load against retrogression, when the brake 302 is engaged, as the brake 302 is connected to a torque arm or frame to prevent the outer portion of the brake moving relative to the hub portion. The clutch 294 has a fluid pressure line 310 leading thereto, which clutch is of the character as set out above, and has a rotary seal 312 to conduct fluid, under pressure, to an expansible chamber within the clutch, as set forth in the above-mentioned patent application, Ser. No. 814,739. Cooling fluid, such as water, is directed through conduit 314 and through rotating seal 316 into and through clutch 294 and out through conduit 318. This clutch operates in the same manner as the aforementioned form of clutch, however, due to the high-torque gearing of the present unit, the clutch and gearing arrangement are designed for heavy-duty lifting.

A pair of winches, both of which use the same cable 212 to jointly lift one end ofa barge 385, is shown in FIGS. 16, 17, 20 and 21.

While this form of the invention may be used in connection with the form of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1-15, the present winching arrangement, uses fluid actuated clutches which are regulated by sensing devices, which enable the barge to be lifted from waves in the open sea, thereby enabling the present device to be used on conventional catamaran vessels without requiring a specially built-in well, as shown in the form ofinvention as shown in FIGS. 1-15.

FIF'II-I FORM OF THE INVENTION The fifth form of the invention shows the winches arranged as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, so that one pair of winches 211 and 211A will be above each corner of the barge 285 to be lifted. The winches 211 and 211A are identical in structure with the respectively numbered winches shown in FIGS. 22-27 and have the same sensing controls as the respective numbered winches. All four pairs of winches act conjointly in the same manner as the two pairs of winches in the aforementioned form of the invention. Numbers on the like parts of these winches carry the same numbers as the winches in FIGS. 22-27.

- Each traveling block has a barge engaging member, such as shown more in detail in FIG. 7 of the first mentioned form of the invention, or an alternate form as shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 of the first form of the invention, and the parts carry the same numbers as the forms of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-15.

Having thus clearly shown and described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A winching system for a barge carrying vessel having a main hull, a cargo receiving area in the main hull for loading barges thereinto and unloading barges therefrom along the longitudinal axis thereof, the stern of the main hull having beam width extensions above and below the water line to form a normally open end transfer well of a size to receive cargo barges therein, which winching system comprises:

a. a gantry crane mounted on the hull of the vessel and adapted to be positioned over the open end transfer well when in one position and over the cargo receiving area when in another position,

b. a winching system near each end of said gantry crane,

each which winching system includes two pair of complementary winch drums,

l. a winch line common to each pair of complementary winch drums,

2. a traveling block supported intermediate each pair of complementary winch drums,

3. means on each traveling block to interengage the barge near the end thereof,

. a relatively stationary block mounted near each end of said gantry crane and lying in a plane passing transversely between said complementary winch drums,

I. each said winching line being common to said pair of complementary winch drums passing around the sheaves of each said traveling blocks and each said substantially stationary blocks,

2. each said relatively stationary block on said gantry crane having a fluid pressure sensing means arrangement associated therewith so at least a part of the weight of each said barge will act upon said fluid pressure sensing means,

. each said fluid pressure sensing means being sensitive to the weight applied to said winching line d. a source of power for each winch drum,

e. a fluid actuated clutch, capable of controlled slipping, in-

terposed in driving relation between each said source of power and each said winch drum,

l. a clutch control device, 2. a conduit connected to said fluid pressure sensing means and said clutch control device,

3. a pressure supply conduit connected to said clutch control device, and

4. a valve in said pressure supply conduit to be actuated by said clutch control device to selectively direct fluid under controlled pressure to each said clutch or to selectively bleed fluid from said conduit to maintain a predetermined tension on said winch line while said winches are being operated, to remove the barge from the water or lower the barge thereiuto.

2. A winching system for a barge carrying vessel, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. each said winching system includes two pair of comple mentary winch drums with one pair of winch drums near each end of the gantry crane,

b. a source of power being a first motor of relatively high horsepower connected in geared relation to one of said winch drums of each said pair of winch drums located near an end of the gantry crane,

c. said clutch interposed between said source of power and said winch drum capable of being set to slip at a predetermined tension on said winch line,

d. second motors, each of not so great a horsepower, connected in geared relation with the other respective winch drums of each said pair of winch drums located near an end of said gantry crane to enable the winch drums to wind cable thereonto at a relatively high rate of speed as the water raises the barge relative to the vessel,

e. a one-way clutch coupling connected intermediate said second motor and said winch drum to permit winding of the cable upon said winch drum when said drum is turned in one direction, and which one-way clutch coupling will selectively hold said winch drum against retrogression, and

. further positive brake means adapted to selectively release to enable said winch drum to rotate in the opposite direction.

3. A winching system for a barge carrying vessel, as defined in claim 2; wherein a. a one-way clutch coupling is connected intermediate said first motor and said winch drum to permit the winding of cable onto said winch drum when said drum is rotated in one direction, which one-way clutch coupling will selectively hold said winch drum against retrogression, and

b. a further positive brake means adapted to selectively release said winch drum to rotate in the opposite direction.

4. A winching system for a barge carrying vessel, as defined in claim 2; wherein a. the shaft of said second motor is connected in geared relation with a governor,

b. a valve is actuated by said governor in response to the speed of said motor shaft,

c. a fluid actuated brake capable of slipping, and

d. a conduit from a source of air supply leading to and through said governor controlled valve and connected to said fluid actuated brake.

5. A winching system for a barge carrying vessel, as defined in claim 4; wherein a. said one-way clutch coupling is connected to said fluid actuated brake so said brake may be selectively slipped to permit said one-way clutch coupling to rotate in the opposite direction to enable the unwinding of the cable from said drum.

6. A winching system for a barge carrying vessel, as defined in claim 3; wherein a. fluid sensing means is associated with said stationary block and is connected to each said fluid actuated brake 

1. A winching system for a barge carrying vessel having a main hull, a cargo receiving area in the main hull for loading barges thereinto and unloading barges therefrom along the longitudinal axis thereof, the stern of the main hull having beam width extensions above and below the water line to form a normally open end transfer well of a size to receive cargo barges therein, which winching system comprises: a. a gantry crane mounted on the hull of the vessel and adapted to be positioned over the open end transfer well when in one position and over the cargo receiving area when in another position, b. a winching system near each end of said gantry crane, each which winching system includes two pair of complementary winch drums,
 1. a winch line common to each pair of complementary winch drums,
 2. a traveling block supported intermediate each pair of complementary winch drums,
 3. means on each travelinG block to interengage the barge near the end thereof, c. a relatively stationary block mounted near each end of said gantry crane and lying in a plane passing transversely between said complementary winch drums,
 1. each said winching line being common to said pair of complementary winch drums passing around the sheaves of each said traveling blocks and each said substantially stationary blocks,
 2. each said relatively stationary block on said gantry crane having a fluid pressure sensing means arrangement associated therewith so at least a part of the weight of each said barge will act upon said fluid pressure sensing means,
 3. each said fluid pressure sensing means being sensitive to the weight applied to said winching line d. a source of power for each winch drum, e. a fluid actuated clutch, capable of controlled slipping, interposed in driving relation between each said source of power and each said winch drum,
 1. a clutch control device,
 2. a conduit connected to said fluid pressure sensing means and said clutch control device,
 3. a pressure supply conduit connected to said clutch control device, and
 4. a valve in said pressure supply conduit to be actuated by said clutch control device to selectively direct fluid under controlled pressure to each said clutch or to selectively bleed fluid from said conduit to maintain a predetermined tension on said winch line while said winches are being operated, to remove the barge from the water or lower the barge thereinto.
 2. a traveling block supported intermediate each pair of complementary winch drums,
 2. each said relatively stationary block on said gantry crane having a fluid pressure sensing means arrangement associated therewith so at least a part of the weight of each said barge will act upon said fluid pressure sensing means,
 2. a conduit connected to said fluid pressure sensing means and said clutch control device,
 2. a traveling block supported intermediate each pair of complementary winch drums,
 2. A winching system for a barge carrying vessel, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. each said winching system includes two pair of complementary winch drums with one pair of winch drums near each end of the gantry crane, b. a source of power being a first motor of relatively high horsepower connected in geared relation to one of said winch drums of each said pair of winch drums located near an end of the gantry crane, c. said clutch interposed between said source of power and said winch drum capable of being set to slip at a predetermined tension on said winch line, d. second motors, each of not so great a horsepower, connected in geared relation with the other respective winch drums of each said pair of winch drums located near an end of said gantry crane to enable the winch drums to wind cable thereonto at a relatively high rate of speed as the water raises the barge relative to the vessel, e. a one-way clutch coupling connected intermediate said second motor and said winch drum to permit winding of the cable upon said winch drum when said drum is turned in one direction, and which one-way clutch coupling will selectively hold said winch drum against retrogression, and f. further positive brake means adapted to selectively release to enable said winch drum to rotate in the opposite direction.
 2. each said relatively stationary block on said gantry crane having a fluid pressure sensing means arrangement associated therewith so at least a part of the weight of each barge will act upon said fluid pressure sensing means,
 2. a conduit connected to said fluid pressure sensing means and said clutch control device,
 3. a pressure supply conduit connected to said clutch control device, and
 3. each said fluid pressure sensing means being sensitive to the weight applied to said winching line, d. a source of power connected with each said winch drum, e. a fluid actuated clutch, which clutch is capable of controlled slipping, interposed in driving relation between each said source of power and each said winch drum,
 3. A winching system for a barge carrying vessel, as defined in claim 2; wherein a. a one-way clutch coupling is connected intermediate said first motor and said winch drum to permit the winding of cable onto said winch drum when said drum is rotated in one direction, which one-way clutch coupling will selectively hold said winch drum against retrogression, and b. a further positive brake means adapted to selectively release said winch drum to rotate in the opposite direction.
 3. means on each traveling block to interengage the barge near a corner thereof, c. a relatively stationary block mounted near each corner of said gantry crane and lying in a plane passing transversely between said complementary winch drums,
 3. a pressure supply conduit connected to said clutch control device, and
 3. each said fluid pressure sensing means being sensitive to the weight applied to said winching line d. a source of power for each winch drum, e. a fluid actuated clutch, capable of controlled slipping, interposed in driving relation between each said source of power and each said winch drum,
 3. means on each travelinG block to interengage the barge near the end thereof, c. a relatively stationary block mounted near each end of said gantry crane and lying in a plane passing transversely between said complementary winch drums,
 4. a valve in said pressure supply conduit to be actuated by said clutch control device to selectively direct fluid under controlled pressure to each said clutch or to selectively bleed fluid from said conduit to maintain a predetermined tension on said winch line while said winches are being operated, to remove the barge from the water or lower the barge thereinto.
 4. A winching system for a barge carrying vessel, as defined in claim 2; wherein a. the shaft of said second motor is connected in geared relation with a governor, b. a valve is actuated by said governor in response to the speed of said motor shaft, c. a fluid actuated brake capable of slipping, and d. a conduit from a source of air supply leading to and through said governor controlled valve and connected to said fluid actuated brake.
 4. a valve in said pressure supply conduit to be actuated by said clutch control device to selectively direct fluid under controlled pressure to each said clutch or to selectively bleed fluid from said conduit to maintain a predetermined tension on said winch line while said winches are being operated, to remove a barge from the water or to lower a barge thereinto.
 5. A winching system for a barge carrying vessel, as defined in claim 4; wherein a. said one-way clutch coupling is connected to said fluid actuAted brake so said brake may be selectively slipped to permit said one-way clutch coupling to rotate in the opposite direction to enable the unwinding of the cable from said drum.
 6. A winching system for a barge carrying vessel, as defined in claim 3; wherein a. fluid sensing means is associated with said stationary block and is connected to each said fluid actuated brake to selectively control the slippage of said brake in accordance with a predetermined setting of said sensing device.
 7. A winching system for a barge carrying vessel, as defined in claim 4; wherein a. valve means is positioned intermediate the source of fluid pressure supply in said fluid actuated brake to manually control the engagement or release of said fluid actuated brake.
 8. A winching system for a barge carrying vessel, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said fluid pressure sensing means is an expansible chamber.
 9. A winching system for a barge carrying vessel, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said fluid pressure sensing means is a fluid cylinder.
 10. A winching system for a barge carrying vessel having a main hull, a cargo receiving area in the main hull for loading barges thereinto and unloading barges therefrom along the longitudinal axis thereof, the stern of the main hull having beam width extensions above and below the water line to form a normally open end transfer well of a size to receive cargo barges therein, which winching system comprises: a. a gantry crane mounted on the hull of the vessel and adapted to be positioned over the open end transfer well when in one position and over the cargo receiving area when in another position, b. a pair of winching systems near each end of said gantry crane, each which winching system includes two pair of complementary winch drums, 